Love Me, Please Look - Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Fish, Feelings, and Family Drama
Zhang Shixu figured he still had unfinished work waiting in his department, so he got up to leave. But just as he stood, Qi Junhe tugged at his sleeve, motioning to exchange contact info.
They quickly added each other on WeChat. Zhang Shixu was relieved—he half-expected Qi Junhe’s mom to rope him into another family gathering on the spot.
Thankfully, Xu Xinyi didn’t hold him hostage. Instead, she had her bodyguards borrow a wheelchair from the school clinic to take her son home.
Qi Junhe tried to resist. I don’t want to go home—I’m staying at school!
Xu Xinyi watched him sign with lightning speed and responded with calm indifference. “It’s not up to you. Your father already knows, and he expects you home for dinner tonight.”
Qi Junhe still wasn’t ready to back down, but his mother had no interest in further negotiations. She rolled her eyes and waved him off.
“A-Jing, wheel him out. A-Rong, let’s go.”
Just like that, Xu Xinyi wrapped up her visit and escorted her sulking son home like he’d been captured.
At the family home in Tingyun Bay.
Dinner was over, and Qi Junhe sat obediently on the living room sofa while the family doctor examined his foot again.
After confirming it wasn’t serious, both Xu Xinyi and Qi Qiming—his father—finally relaxed.
Qi Qiming, a tall, stern Alpha with a military background, had traded his uniform for business suits when he retired and helped manage the Yiyang Group. His sharp features and commanding presence made it obvious where Qi Junhe got his genes from—minus the temperament.
Once the doctor gave his advice and left, Qi Qiming dismissed the household staff for the night, letting them retreat to the guest quarters nearby.
I’m really fine, Qi Junhe signed again, hoping to make his case for staying on campus.
Xu Xinyi pinched Qi Qiming’s thigh under the table. Qi Qiming cleared his throat and said carefully, “Your mom’s just worried about you. Living alone in the dorms might not be the best idea right now. Why not stay in the house your mom prepared for you?”
Xu Xinyi had gone to great lengths. Every staff member in Tingyun Bay had been trained in sign language. The caretakers were handpicked for their attentiveness. She wasn’t ready to let her only son fly the coop just yet—especially not to a dorm full of strangers.
Even back in high school, she’d hired private tutors for him instead of letting him experience crowded classrooms. She had her reasons.
But Qi Junhe was determined. How else am I supposed to learn independence? I can’t follow you around forever, can I?
Qi Qiming nodded in agreement. “He’s got a point.”
Xu Xinyi narrowed her eyes at them both. The father-son alliance was clearly in full swing.
She kicked Qi Qiming’s shin. “You’re really something, aren’t you?”
Then, turning to Qi Junhe with mock fury: “Fine! Move out then! Just don’t come crawling back!”
And with that, she stormed upstairs, leaving the two stunned.
Qi Qiming turned to his son with a calm smile. “She’s just worried you’ll be mistreated. But you’re growing up, and it’s time you figure things out for yourself. Just promise you’ll visit her when you can. She really does miss you.”
He stood, patted Qi Junhe’s shoulder reassuringly, and asked, “You gonna be okay washing up and all that?”
Qi Junhe nodded. Goodnight, Dad. Take care of Mom.
With a nod and a chuckle, Qi Qiming headed upstairs to begin the nightly ritual of coaxing his wife out of her sulk.
Qi Junhe watched him go with a small, victorious smile. He’d won this round.
Upstairs, after limping into his room, a new issue dawned on him—how was he going to shower?
He stared at the bathroom, contemplating his life choices.
Eventually, after much trial and error, he filled the bathtub, carefully sat on the edge, and lowered himself into the warm water, sighing as he finally got comfortable.
Meanwhile, back on campus…
Zhang Shixu had skipped lunch, snacked on some dry biscuits, and thrown himself into preparing for the upcoming freshman welcome party—only a week away.
He shot a message to Chen Nan: Don’t eat dinner. I’m treating tonight.
Chen Nan replied with hearts and enthusiasm.
Zhang Shixu: “…”
Hours passed. At 6:31 PM, Zhang Shixu finally wrapped up his checklist and checked his phone—99+ unread messages from Chen Nan.
Chen Nan: “Bro, I’m literally starving to death.”
Chen Nan: “Dad, I’m about to pass out.”
Chen Nan: “If you’re not treating me, just say so!!”
Zhang Shixu: “Grilled fish at the gate. If you’re a real bro, meet me there. Chop chop.”
Chen Nan: “On my way, love u 💗🌹”
When Zhang Shixu arrived, Chen Nan had already claimed a table and ordered like a king.
“You’re late!” he said, thrusting a bowl of hot water at him. “Use this. The utensils here are scary.”
Zhang Shixu raised a brow at Chen Nan’s sudden concern. Since when was he this thoughtful?
Chen Nan didn’t look up, too busy dissecting fish bones like a gourmet critic.
Zhang Shixu shrugged. “Freshman party’s next week. Busy, as always.”
Chen Nan snorted. “Student council, huh? Fancy title. In reality, it’s just free labor. Even cattle get paid, you know?”
“Preach!” Zhang Shixu clinked the table. “Boss! Two beers!”
“Dude—it’s Monday tomorrow,” Chen Nan warned.
“No morning class,” Zhang Shixu replied nonchalantly.
They ended up sharing the grilled fish, taking slow sips of beer between bites. Chen Nan stayed sober. Zhang Shixu? Not so much.
One glass turned into two. Zhang Shixu, not usually a drinker, was now face-down on the table, flushed and bleary-eyed.
“Hey,” Chen Nan nudged his foot under the table. “What’s gotten into you lately?”
No response.
“Oi!”
Zhang Shixu jolted upright. “What?!”
His cheeks were pink, and his eyes—normally sharp and clear—were now soft and watery, like he’d been crying.
“What happened to you?” Chen Nan asked, gentler now.
“I… broke… up,” Zhang Shixu mumbled like a malfunctioning robot.
“Huh?” Chen Nan leaned closer, thinking he misheard.
“I said I broke up! I’m single now!” he shouted, loud enough for half the food stall to hear.
Heads turned, but no one reacted—just another night of emotional college students.
Chen Nan blinked. “With Zhou Ying?”
Zhang Shixu nodded solemnly.
“Are you… sad?”
He nodded, then shook his head. “A little.”
Chen Nan poured him a glass of warm water and slid it across. “This really isn’t like you. But come on, half the campus would die to date you.”
“I’m just a Beta,” Zhang Shixu whispered, cradling the cup like it was a lifeline.
Chen Nan sighed. “So what? Betas don’t get pushed around by hormones. Alphas wear muzzles during heat like wild dogs. Omegas have to wear scent blockers just to go outside. Meanwhile, we Betas can live like normal people.”
He leaned closer. “And you, Zhang Shixu, are the most badass Beta on this campus. You lead the student union, walk like a model, and have brains to back it up.”
Zhang Shixu gave a half-nod, still dazed.
“Are you even listening to me?” Chen Nan snapped.
“I am,” Zhang Shixu said. “Just… life feels like a failure right now. I’m crying inside, but trying to hype myself up like I’m the main character. Then I go west because I forget which way is north.”
Chen Nan stared. “Bro… what the hell are you even talking about?”